Beschreibung:

A Dutch walnut and marquetry longcase clock with automaton ships J.A. Roelofs, Totdenbriel. Third quarter 18th century The hood with typical giltwood finials of angels flanking an Atlas figure, the latter raised on a carved plinth, with fretwork panels to the pediment and cornices and also to the sides, the trunk with chamfered angles flanking a shaped door with moulded frame, inlaid with floral marquetry, with central glazed oval panel overlaid with a brass mount cast as a bird lifting drapery from an urn, on bombé plinth also inlaid with floral marquetry and raised on claw feet, the painted dial with brass chapter ring with typical Dutch arcaded ornament, signed J.A. ROELOFS, TOTDENBRIEL , the gilt matted and engraved centre with painted rolling moonphase giving age of moon, with ringed winding holes, alarm-setting disc to the centre of the black painted hands, a subsidiary silvered seconds ring (lacking hand) with date aperture to its centre, flanked by triangular apertures for silvered discs giving month with its number of days and an engraved figural representation, and day of week with its zodiacal symbol and an engraved representation of the corresponding deity, an aperture below the dial flanked by painted figures of Neptune and Mercury pulling back theatrical drapery to reveal a recessed backdrop painted with a Dutch seaside town, with automaton waves, a rowing figure (damaged) and five automaton ships of the line to the foreground, the four pillar movement with anchor escapement and rack strike, with alarm train to one side and Dutch strike on two bells 109¼in. (277cm.) high